Electrode for electric furnaces.



A. T. HINGKLEY.

ELECTRODE FOR ELECTRIC FURNACES. APPLIGATION IILBD FEB. 5, 1912.

1 ,097,227. Patented May 19, 1 914.

4 s I/a/4 Min @066 o" QM/M.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR TEACHER HTNCKLEY, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRODE FOR ELECTRIC FURNACES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed iliebruari, 5, 1912. Serial No. 675,419.

Patented May 19, 19.14.

. I-IINOKLEY, a citizen of the United States,

residing at Niagara Falls, in the countyof Niagara and Stateof New York, have 1nvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electrodes for Electric Furnaces, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide simple means for,connecting', end to end, such electrodes as are used in electric furnace work, whereby each electrode may be entirely consumed in the furnace.

The invention resides primarily in the new joint shown for so uniting two electrodes that they may be supported and fed into the furnace as a unit.

It also cdnsists in the described construction ofthe individual electrodes whereby they are adapted to be successively oined together,end to end, in the manner and w1th the results stated. y

In carrying out the invention in the most practical manner each electrode is provided on one end with an integral reduced portion or pin in which an annular groove is formed. A longitudinal hole is formed in the opposite end, which hole is similar to said pin in shape and size. An annular enlarged groove is formed in the Walls of this hole, and a laterall extended hple or holes is formed from t e outside of -the electrode to this annular groove. To form from two of these electrodes a compound electrode capable of being used as a unit, the pin on one electrode is introduced into the hole in another electrode, and then the annular recess within the hole, formed b the two annular grooves referred to, is lled by forcing into' it through the said laterally extended holes a flowing cement. This cement must be of such character that it will harden and form a binding ring which, because it projects into both of said annular grooves, will firmly unite said electrodes.

In the drawing, Figure l'is a centrallongitudinalv section of a compound electrode formed by uniting the two electrodes according to this invention. Fig. 2 is a hori zontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the parts by letters A, A represent two similar electrodes which may have any desired shape in cross section, and may be of any suitable diameter and length.

They are'to be made of any suitable mixture of carbon or carbonaceous material which is suitable for the particular use for which said electrodes are designed. In one end of each electrode a longitudinally. extended hole a is formed. This hole may be of any suitable depth, or diameter'and shape; although preferably it is cylindrical in shape, because more easily formed, and its diameter and depth should bear about therelation to the diameter of the electrode as is shown in the drawing. In the side wall of this hole an annular enlarging groove a is formed. The other end of the electrode is reduced in diameter, thereby forming a longitudinally pro1ecting'integral pin a in which an an nular groove a is formed. The shape and size of each pin is such that when the pin of one electrode is inserted into the hole of another electrode the pin will fill said hole and, allow the ends of the electrodes to be in contact. The two annular grooves a, a are to be so placed that when apin is in a hole, as stated, there will be formed within said hole, an annular recess which is partly in the pin and partly in the adjacent wall of the hole. One or more laterally extended holes a are. drilled from the outside of the electrode so as to communicate with the annular groovea.

' Prior to putting a pin of one electrode into a hole of another electrode, the surfaces which are to engage will preferably be smeared with a graphite paste. Whenthe in is in the hole a self hardening cement is forced through the lateral hole or holes a? into the annular recess referred to, so as to entirely fill the same. Many different kinds of cement may be employed in the manner and for the purpose stated. A good cement for the purpose, because it is a good electrical conductor, and hardens quickly, and is sufliciently strong for the purpose, may be used from the following formula: flake graphite one part, Portland cement one part, water one part, NaCo one per cent. This cement may be; made to fiowthrough the holes a into said annular recess, but it very soon hardens and forms a ring B which fastens the two electrodes together strongly enough for all practical purposes, and in such-wise that the two electrodes, when so connected, become in efiect a single electrode which may be fed down as required into an electric furnace. When one of these electrodesis in use, another electrode may be attached in like manner to its upper end outside of the furnace without interfering with the operation of the furnace. It is only necessary to put the pin of an electrode into the hole in the upper endof the electrode in use, and to then fill the annular recess with cement in the manner stated.

Having described my inventiomi claim 1. An electrode for electric furnace uses having at one end'an integral pin of less diameter than the electrode, which pin has an annular groove, and having at its other end a longitudinal hole which is similar in shape and size to said pin,said hole having in its longitudinal wall an annular groove, and there being a lateral hole leading from the outer surface of said electrode to the grooved part of said longitudinal hole.

2. A compound electrode for electric furnace uses, composed of two electrodes, one of which has a longitudinal hole in one end,which hole has an annular enlarging groove,and the other unit having at one end an integral pin which fits and fills said hole, and has an annular groove, and a cement ring of conducting material which ernbraces said pin and lies partly within the annular groove in said pin and partly within the annular enlargement of said longitudinal hole. I

3. An electrode for electric furnace uses having at one end an integralpin of less diameter than the electrode, which pin has an annular groove, and having at its other end a longitudinal-hole which is similar in shape and size to said pin,said hole having in its longitudinal wall an annular groove, and there being at least two lateral holes leading from the outer surface of said electrode to the grooved part of said longitudinal hole.

4. A compound electrode for electric furnace uses, composed of two electrodes, one of which has a longitudinal hole in one end,which hole has an annular enlarging groove,there being at least two holes leading from the outer surrace of the electrode and communicating with the groove in the longitudinal hole, and the other unit having at one end an integral pin which fits and fills said hole, and has an annular groove, and a cement ring of conducting material which embraces said pin and lies partly Within the annular groove in said pin and partly within the annular enlargement of said longitudinal hole.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR TEACHER HINGKLEY.

Witnesses:

E. L. Trrons'ron, H. R. SHEA-WAN. 

